ML19260B963
| ML19260B963 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Framatome ANP Richland |
| Issue date: | 11/06/1979 |
| From: | Stevenson R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7912180029 | |
| Download: ML19260B963 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES g
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E WASHINGTON. D. C. 20555
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1979
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DOCKET NO.:
70-1257 LICENSEE:
Exxon Nuclear Company (Exxon)
FACILITY:
Uranium Fuel Fabrication Plant Richland, Washington
SUBJECT:
REVIEW 0F LICENSE AMENDMENT APPLICATION DATED AUGUST 27, 1979, AS St!PPLEMENTED SEPTEMBER 19, 1979, FOR OPERATION OF LAUNDRY FOR URANIUM-CONTAMINATED CLOTHING, PC N0. 79119A, MC
Background
By application dated August 27 and supplemented September 19, 1979, Exxon applied for an amendment to Special Nuclear Material License SNM-1227 to authorize use of a comercially available dry-cleaning system to clean uranium contaminated protective clothing. Prior to making a permanent installation, Exxon intends to evaluate a commercially available dry-cleaning system in a 320-square-foot, one-story pre-fabricated module.
The facility will be operated as a uranium-contamination control area in accordance with the established radiation protection procedures and controls in the U02 Plant. The facility will be operated at a negative air pressure with respect to atmosphere and provided with a minimum ventilation rate of seven air changes per hour. The air within the facility and the exhaust air will be continuously sampled and the samples routinely analyzed for uranium.
The gaseous effluent from the facility will be double HEPA filtered with volume discharge rate of approximately 1000 cubic feet per minute and uranium concentration below 2x10-12 uCi/ml. The solid wastes will be accumulated on filters, monitored for uranium content, and discharged as contaminated waste after monitoring.
Discussicn Radiation Safety ihe same controls will be used to ensure radiation safety that are used in the corresponding type operations in the existing licensed U02 Plant. The WtB 098 7912180 O
2 NOV 6 1979 major portion cf the cleaning cycle involves the use of closed equipment.
The quantities of radioactive material and the potential exposures are low.
Nuclear Criticality Safety There are multiple reasons for concluding that there is little probability for accidental criticality in the laundry operation. The quantities of fissionable material involved are far below a potential critical amount and the licensee will monitor the accumulated solids from the cleaning operation. The solvent used in the dry-cleaning is a poor moderator and a neutron absorber. The filters on which the solids are accumulated are of favorable geometry for criticality safety.
Environmental Impact of the Laundry Operation The licensee will monitor the gaseous discharges to the environmant, which should not have a significant environmental impact.
There will be no liquid discharges. The solids accumulated in the filters for the cleaning solvent should not significantly affect the total solids discharged from the plant.
Process Safety The cleaning system is a commercially available system that has been used without incident at other facilities such as nuclear reactors.
The licensee has provided information to demonstrate that the toxic characteristics of the cleaning solvent (trechlorotrefluoromethane or " Freon 113") under a variety of normal and abnormal conditions are well known.
Furthermore, the toxicity of the solvent is not high and does not pose an unusisl threat to the health of the laundry operator.
Conclusion and Recommendation Based on the safety and environmental reviews of the amendment application as supplemented, it is concluded that the proposed laundry may be operated without undue risk to the health and safety of the operating staff or the public, and without significant environmental impact. Approval of the amendment application is recommended.
% V+cru R. L. Stevenson Uranium Process Licensing Section Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety Approved By:
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- h. T. Crow, Section Leader 40fr 099